Stocker engine Input please
 

68 Camaro that is currently a crate motor car, engine needs freshened, rest of the car works good, is fresh and race ready, .
Question is,,,,, for NHRA Stock eliminator which way would you go power wise?
396/375
396/325
350
327

and WHY? I have my thoughts, but curious as to the more experienced that inhabit this forum as to which way you would go.

It is also my understanding that in a 1968 Camaro, it's a 'Glide only behind a small block, but a 3 speed auto is ok with either big block, Correct?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Unk

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

396-375 says Stick only for 68

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

I would go either 327 or 350. This way you can run in both IHRA and NHRA. A PG is the only automatic behind these combinations. The 327 is a great stick combination!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Bob,
IHRA has 396/325 in their book I'm sure. We're looking to make car a legal NHRA stocker and get away from the crate motor aspect.

Looking @ Nitro Joe's stats, It doesn't appear that a '68 Camro/350 is a combination found very often, yet there are numerous 327's. Looks like they've defactored thr 350 combo as well. Is the 350 just not a workable combo, or is the 327 that much BETTER?

BP, missed the stick only on the 375hp
so that leaves a 396/325 for D/SA, or the 350 or 327 for G/SA if I'm reading correctly,,,,,, and please correct me if I'm wrong.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Old rule was "PG Only", now you can run a 3-speed auto in lieu of 2-speed auto. They seem to go quite a bit faster with this change...

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Not in stock.....Super Stock only.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

I have yet to switch to the three speed in my 283 SS nova, just how much faster are they?? I may have to after Als hits on my combo with more to come I am sure. So the question is is it worth the money to make the switch?? Thanks Tom

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

The 396/350 for 68 carries only 15 more HP than the 396/325, and gets 0.060" and 0.080" more cam lift. You could run the 396 and pick the HP rating by just changing cams. And you get to run a 3 speed automatic with the 396 engines.

The 327/275 and the 350/295 look to be decent, if you have to run an automatic, and it has to be a PowerGlide, I'd think the stroke of the 350 would help the PowerGlide at least enough to make the 15HP difference up.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

You need a Mopar.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Got one of your new Challengers ready to go yet?

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Keep in mind the 396/375 & 396/325 will get more hp between now and the start of next season.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Bob,

This summer I spoke to a noted and well respected stock/superstock engine builder about this very subject as I have a '68 camaro that I sometimes think about running as a stocker (it is a street/strip car now). He told me that in the heat the 350 seems to run better and is more consistent than the 327. Other than that it is pretty much a toss up.

As a note the 350 camaros in 67/8 were Super Sports which probably means you have to use the correct SS hood and louvers which I think weighs about 30 pounds or so more than a flat hood.

I'm not aware of any other significant differences for class racing between the 350 SS and the 327 base/RS 67/8 camaros.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

It's being done @ B & B. Hope to be out in Feb. I will start with the 360 in H/SA. Need a Mopar? I got plenty.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

I guess I should have said that a traditional combination and not a crate motor is the way to go. I'm just biased to the 327!!!!!!!!

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I have both a flat hood and an SS hood and weighed both of them and found barely 5 lbs. differance using a very accurate digital scale. Now having said that neither hood have any bondo but both have a significant amount of paint on them.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Well, the overwhelming opinion is,,,,,, quite divided,,,, :-)

Respected D3 racer says go with 350/290 and a glide, woked well for him and the cars new owner as well.

Respected D7 racer says avoid the 350 like the plague.

396 combo gets HP for Christmas,,, hey with this heavyweight driver that might be a plus in my favor :-)

All the input is quite interesting and certainly thought provoking.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

How about the 302? Some of these are fast. Manual only.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Harry 6674: There is a simple reason why the 302 was omitted from the list. The number one reason people do not run the 302 option is they will be foced to run it as a stick shift. Most people are just too afraid of the can!

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

I think you need my LT1 car! You have won a national in one of these and even Alan Reinhardt was able to turn on the win light with it! I have a new Holiday Season price!

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Unk,I have run the 350-295 for a long time.
Great engine tranny combo for race day(very consistant).
You have to spend alot of time and money to get it to qualify @ Indy.
Not to say you cant but you must spend the money right the first time.
If you want to go consistantly 1.15 under I wouldn't go with a 350 or 327.
350 vs. 327 it's a wash.
If you want to talk more about this you can call me.

Monte Howard 217-776-2253


I would build a 69 camaro, (three speed).

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Tommy,

I'll look you up as soon as I win the lottery. :-)

I'd love another FI car ( I love their predictable repeatability), but right now we're dealing with a car that is already owned and is a proven race car, just trying to determine what engine to drop in that makes the most sense for stock instead of crate motor. Trying to think things through for both competitiveness and economical engine application (yea I know, what's economical about a drag race engine)
350/295 with a glide or a 396/350-325 with a 3 spd are the choices it seems.
Wouldn't mind a 4 speed, but damn, it's been since the early 80's when I last rowed my way through a gearbox,,,,, AHRA SS 289 4 spd Mercury Comet,,,, and I think things have changed some since then (mild understatement there).

Anyways, there is a lot of experience that visits this sight and I was/am looking for input from the experienced masses.
We've got a rolling, working chassis with fresh driveline pieces, just need to determine the powerplant.

While there is certainly no concensus of opinion, the opinions that have been expressed are all appreciated for the experience that is lending it's hindsight.

I just want to get back behind the wheel,,,,,, it's tough being @ EVERY NHRA national event and WATCHING stock run week after week after week from the fence @ the end of the track. Jason and I have watched a lot of rounds this year (and critiqued a lot of racers/races :-) ), but then he gets to race later in the day in his Ultimate Stocker (P/S)

Thanks guys, it is appreciated!

Unk

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

If you want to go consistantly 1.15 under I wouldn't go with a 350 or 327.
350 vs. 327 it's a wash.
If you want to talk more about this you can call me.

Monte Howard 217-776-2253


So you would go with a ??????????

Unk

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Hey Bob,
Put a Firebird frontend and tail lights on it and run a 428. :~)

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Think tech would notice?

:-)

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396-325 should be a decent combo in D/SA,usually not "a ton of cars" in D

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Your buddy Jason has a 1968 350, fresh out of the wagon...............

Alan

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Now THAT engine would probably need a little freshening,,,,,,, although I am fairly sure that the block is well seasoned by now :-)

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I just want to say I love this conversation. I get so bored with the bickering so common to other threads. The topic here is what stock racing is all about and what this website is all about.

Bruce Deveau

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Thanks Bruce! Over 3400 hits tells me there is some interest here as well.

Hey, I'm just trying to learn.
I understand a lot about the sport, but trying to think through a stock eliminator build is all new to me. Just trying to do it as intelligently as possible,,,,, although there are some who say there isn't ANYTHING intelligent about racing a stocker,, :-) but heck, they've probably never done it either.
The response's (both here and in private) have certainly been thought provoking, decision is still pending.

Unk

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

I recommend the 396-350 combo, simply because.

The 327 and 350 would rank as the most beat-on combos in Stock Elim. Advantages: lots of parts, lots of experience/information,lots of competition. Disadvantages: too sorted out, will take too much effort to go really fast.

The 396-325 has also been beat on pretty hard. It will probably get HP this year.

The 396-350 will likely only cost 10hp next year and the camshaft difference is worth it. If you get tired of it, put a smaller cam in it and you have a 325 engine.

Personally, I would do the 302 or the 396-375, but that's because I like the activity of a stick car.

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

looks like 396/350 is going to win out, trany decision is next, already getting input on that as well.

Stick car would certainly be fun, but from the announcers chair I've watched FAR too many stick cars blow the tires off @ the hit at the WRONG time, I'll take the slightly more dependable automatic.

Thanks to everyone for the input, it's been educational.

Dwight,
"Pickles Gap, AR"? is that anywhere near Toad Suck?

Unk

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

[QUOTE=Dwight Southerland;153175]
The 396-350 will likely only cost 10hp next year QUOTE]
If that happens it's a nobrainer..

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[QUOTE=bsa633;153197]I'm not sure of that. 95# for the extra cam lift. It might be a little stronger but maybe only a few hun.
Maybe someone can document it otherwise..

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

I'm pretty sure the 396/350 combo wasn't offered in the Camaro. I know it came in the Nova, as this is the combo Gary Waldo runs.

Sean

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

396
*


350hp
CAMARO 108
Coupe 2 Dr 9.59
W/TH 9.76
Convertible 10.45
W/TH 10.61

STOCK/SUPER STOCK FACTORS 340
w OEM Heads 7.31.02
STOCK/SUPER STOCK FACTORS
w replacement heads

Sean,
In researching this car I did find 325, 350 & 396 info and NHRA shows it in the classification guide. Nitro Joe's stats also shows several being run. I think we're ok

Unk

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Come on Bob. I see now a couple of excuses about why you cannot run a stick. Search your feelings. You know you want it. :)

Besides you might see another Guest Racer/Announcer with a 4 gear in his hand next year somewhere. You know if he can do it, you can. He hasn't dumped a load without having a Sunday newspaper in his hand for years. LOL.

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[QUOTE=Mark Yacavone;153207]It's probably a "wash" performance wise but those 95# in the trunk will help a little on those quite nose heavy combos!

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I recommend ............. a FORD.


Problem solved.

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That sounds right !!! You FORD guys could probably organize to have 'one of those' put in a CHEVY and make it legal !!! LOL

Re: Stocker engine Input please
 

Unk,

In the spirit of the holiday, I am willing to share my letter from the General of the long rumored UD/SA combo...you have to dig hard to find it but a 4.3L V-6 TBI in a 68 Camaro classified as UnderDeveloped/Stock Automatic in the AHRA class guide and was grand fathered into the NHRA class guide via an antitrust provision between the American league and the National league…